Man, I still remember as a wabby high-schooler reading about the accomplishments of Tustin High basketball star Doug Gottlieb during the 1990s. And, sure: while having a pretty good career at Oklahoma State didn't translate into NBA stardom, Gottlieb has nevertheless made a name for himself as a pretty sharp basketball analyst.

But that's not what the sports world is talking about this morning, after a train wreck of a joke Gottlieb opened with yesterday during CBS's coverage of the NCAA Sweet 16 tournament. Gottlieb's sin? As the sole gabacho at the desk, surrounded by black men, Gottlieb announced he was bringing the "white man's perspective" to the discussion.
Roll the tape!

The only problem I have with Gottlieb's quip is that he ain't white--he's Jewish, which will make the resultant defending of Gottlieb by white supremacists VERY interesting...and HILARIOUS!

Doug Gottlieb is a clown. I have heard him numerous times local sports radio. Why he's invited to opine is a great big mystery to me. It doesn't surprise me one bit this idiot inserted his foot in his mouth.

I'm so offended, let's call for his removal and make this a top priority news story because clearly California is financially secure with plenty of jobs and has no BS going on that can't be ousted by a news story from great journalists.

He actually messes up the amazing chemistry between Gumbel, Anthony, the Jet, and Sir Charles.

Gumbel is one of the most unflappable guys in broadcasting, but I can't tell you how many times I've seen him suffocating with laughter over something one of the others said as they go to a commercial.

@GustavoArellano@gregdiamond There's nothing "inane" about it, puto. You said that Jews aren't white -- in an article about a guy making a stupid racial comment. I don't even want to argue with you about it. I just want you to make that same assertion in your public radio commentary on KCRW. Tiene los cojones, verdad? People can read this and they know that you're ducking the dare.

But maybe you're thinking better of the claim. (I never said you were stupid.)

@GustavoArellano@gregdiamond "More press" -- sure. The paycheck from the pornographer bosses ensures that. But more "lefty"? Reeeeally? Is this more of your irony? Pleeeeease elaborate how you're further to the left of me politically, you libertarian hollow-chest-thumper!

(By the way, you have improved over the past year -- from when you were dissing the Anaheim ACLU lawsuit and cuddling up to the Costa Mesa junta. I am glad to see that -- and if I'm among those who shamed you into moving left, great! And -- you're welcome!)

But OK -- we can stack my story about misusing that term (my wife was cooking puto -- the Filipino dessert version -- which, along with your being a cabron, is what brought it to mind) against your assertion that Jews aren't white and let the public compare them. Sound good?

@GustavoArellano@gregdiamond You know, you're right. I made a mistake. I consulted with my wife and she confirms that the Tagalog term is "puta," which I thought could also be used for men with the masculine "-o" ending. It turns out that you, too, would be called "puta" in that language. Live and learn!

I'm really sorry that I apparently stumbled onto a homophobic Spanglish slur. I just don't have a lot of experience with insulting gays in any language, so I'm not hip to the lingo. I leave that to you and your more experienced playmates.

@gregdiamond No one is talking to you, Bloviator. The comments you bloviated on were meant for Mitchie and Mitchie alone. Now, slither back to your shit pit and leave the conversations to—I can't believe I'm including Mitchie in this—adults.

For the record, Jews as a people are not "white" nor "non-white"; the "tribe" as a whole contains members of both categories. (And if also contains individuals who are themselves members of both categories.) Gottlieb is pretty clearly among the former, though.

So -- are you adopting Mitchell Young's "I meant it ironically" defense or the "Kevin MacDonald is my lodestar for defining race" defense?

@GustavoArellano@gregdiamond My experience with the slang term "puto" comes primarily from Filipino culture rather than Mexican, where so far as I know it has a genital rather than identity connotation. I apologize to the GLBT community for inappropriately using the term to describe a pendejo. Nice deflection, though.

Arellano was being ironic. You see, some racially conscious whites don't consider Jews to be white. So, in order to defend Gottlieb for his little self-depreciating joke, those folks -- Gustabo's bête noire (or bête blanc) -- would have to defend someone they didn't consider white. In fact, a member of the tribe that some consider outright hostile. He' setting up a sort of a Catch-22, not saying Jews aren't white.